SUMMARY

Pixel Press Floors allows anyone to use just pencil and paper to create her own video game level. Teachers use the app to teach design thinking to students. The app and lesson plans are available for free.

GOALS

Pixel Press Floors is an app that allows anyone to create a video game without learning to code. The program can be used in any classroom to teach design thinking, and is recommended for children ages 6 and up.

APPROACH

Teaches use the Pixel Press Floors lesson plans, created by the company, to teach design thinking lessons to students. Pixel Press offers a one hour introductory lesson plan, or 5 hour unit, which can be used consecutively by the teacher.

When using the app, students use a pencil and specially designed sheets of paper to design a level for a video game. Once this level is designed, taking a picture of the paper automatically uploads the work to the app, where the level can be customized by the student. Games can then be shared among a class or with the wider Pixel Press community. Teachers can use this sharing feature to have students playtest each other’s games and provide feedback.

IMPLEMENTATION

Pixel Press Floors is currently available on iPhone and iPad, with an Android version being developed. Students must have access to one of these devices in order to upload their sketches and customize their game. Teachers can manage their classes only from an iPad.

PRICING

The Pixel Press Floors app, lesson plans, and special drawing paper can all be downloaded for free. Non-essential in-app purchases (e.g. extra enemies to design into the game) are available.

WHO IS USING IT

As of July 2014, Pixel Press Floors was being used in a handful of classrooms in the US; the product is used more widely among the general consumer community.